When my wife, Nancy suggested looking into getting a service dog, I wasn't so sure. I thought I'd been getting along pretty well since my stroke in November of 2012. Though I'd lost the use of my right arm, in fact much of the right side of my body, including half my vision, I managed to recover enough function to take care of myself at home. With continued therapy, I learned to make do with my left hand-dress, write, eat, and walk with a cane. Unable to work or drive, most of my weekdays were spent alone. I particularly miss playing guitar, and making music with friends in a classic rock band. Although my wife works fulltime to keep the rest of our life going, I spend roughly 4 hours each day exercising, working on balance, range of motion, and other routines to regain the use of my right arm and hand.

Nancy became aware of the Indiana Canine Assistant Network, which partners with several Indiana Correctional Facilities, to train service dogs. Inmates apply for the privilege to train dogs to assist children and adults with various disabilities to achieve greater independence in their daily lives. We talked it over, applied, and found I qualified for the program.

I met Hunter for the first time in prison. We spent 8 days in a hotel, going to the prison on the weekdays, and spending most of the time learning what Hunter could do and how to properly control him. Stephanie, Hunter's trainer, had worked with him from a puppy to perform roughly 30 different tasks. Each task was written on a note card as a single word command. It was up to me to get comfortable delivering the commands with authority to allow Hunter to perform at his best. Toward week's end, we were allowed to take Hunter back to the hotel with us for the night. A couple days later he came home with us.

Hunter is at my side during all my walking and balance exercises. We walk laps through the house, 20 times in a clockwise direction and another 20 counterclockwise. With my vision limitations, he guides me clear of obstacles or stops me altogether. This is a particular help when we walk outside or on unleveled ground, or to avoid the occasional stray toy the grandkids might leave around. He is trained to brace me as I get out of a chair to stand. If I drop my cane, he is able to retrieve it for me. He can even pull the laundry basket within my reach. In the case of an emergency, medical or otherwise, he will go for help.

Hunter sleeps beside the bed. If I wake in the night or get up to use the bathroom, he is attentive and always ready to assist. He goes where I go unless I tell him to stay where he is. In that case, he will stay until I give him the command to "release." But don't think Hunter's life is all work. He quickly became part of the family. He's loved by the grandkids, our grown kids, as well as friends of the family. He's in every family photo these days. Hunter has a pretty "laid back" personality, though he does insist on showing off his favorite toys to everyone who comes to the house. He also loves playing fetch in the backyard when the weather is good. In that respect, he's like any other valued family pet-except, Hunter can do so much more. When he turns 10 years old, his working days will be behind him. Hopefully he'll still have a few years of health and vigor to enjoy with the family, in total leisure.